BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the health effects of noise; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) High levels of ambient noise may cause adverse auditory and nonauditory effects, including hearing loss, communication and sleep disturbance, increasing stress levels, and adversely impacting cardio-vascular and endocrine systems;

(b) Noise impacts are a function not only of the level of sound but the duration of exposure to high levels of sound and the distance from the noise source;

(c) Research indicates that, for example, exposure to noise of ninety decibels or more for eight hours may cause damage, and exposure to one hundred five-decibel noise for an hour or more may cause damage;

(d) The decibel levels of common sources of noise include:

(i) Jet take-off (one hundred thirty decibels);

(ii) Fireworks (one hundred thirty decibels);

(iii) Amplified rock music (one hundred twenty decibels);

(iv) Jackhammer (one hundred twenty decibels);

(v) Chain saw (one hundred decibels);

(vi) Lawnmower (eighty-five to one hundred decibels);

(vii) Seaplane (eighty to one hundred ten decibels);

(viii) Dirt bike (ninety-five decibels); and

(ix) Portable stereo (ninety-five decibels);

(e) With increasing population and increasing sources of noise, more Washingtonians are exposed for longer periods to high noise levels;

(f) The scientific research into the health effects of noise exposure has advanced greatly in the recent past and state and local programs should be reviewed in light of this research; and

(g) The state noise program, including technical assistance to implementing local governments, has not been comprehensively reviewed since its initiation nearly twenty-five years ago.

(2) Therefore the legislature intends by this act to authorize a comprehensive review of current research studies on the health effects of noise and a review of current state and local noise programs in order to provide greater understanding of opportunities to strengthen such programs as well as further public education regarding the health effects of noise.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. By January 1, 1999, the department of health shall provide to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives an assessment of the health effects of noise and recommendations for reducing such effects. The study shall include:

(1) A review of the literature on the effects of noise, with an emphasis upon more contemporary research completed in the previous two decades, subsequent to the authorization of the state's noise control program in 1974. The review shall include review of the research findings on direct auditory effects, as well as nonauditory effects such as sleep and communication disturbance, and stress effects;

(2) An assessment of the principal noise sources in Washington communities and trends in cumulative noise levels in representative urban, suburban, and rural areas;

(3) A review of the current noise control programs at the state and local level, including public education and compliance activities;

(4) A review of federal noise control laws and programs and regulatory subjects preempted by federal laws;

(5) A review of existing studies concerning whether disadvantaged groups have a disproportionately higher exposure to unhealthy noise levels; and

(6) Recommendations for improving state and local noise control programs to address the health effects identified and for more effective administration of existing programs, including state financial and technical assistance to local governments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) In conducting the noise study required by section 2 of this act, the department of health shall form an advisory committee including representatives of community organizations concerned with noise, industries characterized by high noise levels, motorized vehicle manufacturers, transportation facilities, and scientific research interests. The department may retain independent consultants for technical elements of health effects analyses.

(2) The department shall provide for public participation in the development of the report, including one or more public forums and the provision of an opportunity for public review and comment upon a draft report.